1940 desoto chassis swap??

its cool, i get what you are saying and i agree lol. In this case tho i have scoured the web looking for any info before asking here but alas...nothing. I really dont want to do a frame swap (last ditch effort) but if its junk frame and suspension wise then i might have to. Also there is literally nothing around here for "local vintage" parts so i have to find a "autozone friendly" donor, something that will actually pop up in the computer so the idiot behind the counter kinda understands what im talking about

 

The Mopar ch***is of that era were pretty good. My dad's 40 Plymouth uses a front clip from a Cordoba (lotsa work, drives great!!) and a Cuda rear axle on stock leaves. The rear fab was: make a new lower plate/shock mount, hog the locator pin holes outboard about a 1/4 inch, and bolt it together. Done.

I've seen others that have rebuilt / tweaked the stock front suspension and have been happy with the results.

The complete frame swap (unless required due to rust) might just be more hastle then it's worth.

 

I do like the S-10 ch***is, but would agree with many previous posters that the original DeSoto ch***is, if in decent shape, is much better. And there are lots of NOS MoPar parts from that era. Most parts interchange with Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge trucks and/or Fargo trucks, sometimes back to the '20s and forward to the '60s! Maybe because of that corporate parts sharing, the stock parts are often unnecessarily strong; often much stronger than what you would find in a modern S-10 or S-15. ... Of course, if you are primarily a Chevy or Ford guy, it will take some mental adjustment to appreciate the MoPar way of doing things.

 

http://www.desoto.org/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=15

http://www.restored-cl***ic.com/desoto-parts/index.html

 

If you have to do a swap, I've got a Dakota frame that needs some work but you can have it for a cheap price. I'd rather you not do that if you don't have to. Court's truck was a learning experience but it really ****ed to do some stupid *** stuff to, especially with that damn steering box in the way and that was a truck on a truck!

 

A few years ago, I guy I know did a frame/running gear swap to a 40 Desoto Coupe. His donor vehicle was a late 70's Mercury Couger or Ford T Bird. He kept the FOMOCO 302 power plant and ******, etc. He said it was a pretty easy swap.

 

I finally got more pics of the front end and everything is there and all intact so im buying the car. The frame swap idea was a VERY LAST DITCH effort, but now i can avoid it. Now i need to rent a trailer and go get it

 

quick search "Car Nut"w/b Delux 6=122.5", Lwb 6=139.5, cust 6=122.5 hope this helps did ya think about a Volare bolt on front end and a mopar 8.3/4 rear ??

 

is the 8.3/4 a common mopar rear end?

 

Mainly muscle cars but you can find them under early 70's vans and late 60's early 70's station wagons. These rears are nice because you can swap out the center sections easily if you want higher gearing for cruising long distances or swap in another for lower gearing to drag with. The only down side expensive. I'm using an 8 1/4 in my 40 because, like my buddy chopo says, you can find them in the yard everywhere you look and are priced pretty fair. The 8 3/4 will be easier to install as the spring perches are real close to original rear. The 8 1/4 you have to cut off the original spring perches and move the out towards the drums.

 

I put a Ford 8" from a Granada in my '38. Fits well depending what wheels you're using. I also put discs on the 8" without much trouble if that interests you. The 8" has the 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern same as the Mopar.

 

punkabilly, any news?

 

Hasn't every T-bird since '58 been unibody? How's that work in a ch***is swap?

 

Very cool thread....I've saved this one and hope it continues with updates. I'm working on getting a 48 Desoto and much of this info is relevant to me as well.

Although I'm a die hard mopar man and want to keep any upgrades all mopar if I can.

 

I bought the car but am now laid off so I can't justify spending the money right now to go and get the car...hopefully I'll have it shortly but I first have to have a cash flow.

 

Any Updates. I
purchased my Desoto about the same time you bought yours. In hiatus for about 4 years but going at it strong now. Have all I need just the time and some help.